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Sarah Burke's family has to pay extensive medical bills

January 20, 2012 | 11:09
am

Sarah Burke died Thursday after succumbing to injuries that she sustained on Jan. 10 during a ski crash in Utah.

In addition to dealing with the tragedy, Burke's husband and parents will be burdened with monster medical bills because the 29-year-old was placed on life support and underwent surgery during her extended hospital stay.

A website was set up to solicit donations to help cover the costs. The goal is to raise $550,000. As of 10:36 a.m. PST, the site says it's 20% of the way there, at $108,999.

Burke, a four-time Winter X Games champion, was considered a pioneer in her sport and helped bring women's superpipe skiing to the X Games.

Here is a statement from the website: "Sarah brought worldwide recognition and validation to the sport she so loved. Every ski athlete chosen to represent his or her country at the 2014 Sochi Olympics will feel her influence. Without her, the sport of freeskiing would not be included."